But he hadnt wanted me. Despite the stiff cock against my belly, despite the hunger of his mouth, he hadnt wanted me. So much for being an irresistible siren.
And then when hed stripped me, Id been asleep, but I could almost see his steady, efficient hands as theyd removed my clothes. His cool, assessing gaze as he looked at my naked body. And then covered it up, from my chin to my toes, in this enveloping nightgown.
I was no threat to him. Hadnt he already proven that? That he could kiss me and walk away, that he could strip me and cover me again with no more concern than a eunuch? But he wasnt a eunuch.
We should be done by now. Whether or not he still believed I was Lilith, he knew that he wasnt affected by my so-called seductive powers. He looked at me and saw Rachel, ordinary except for the flame-red hair. He looked at me and turned away.
I slid down off the high bed and went searching for my clothes. They werent therejust a pile of gray-brown jeans and T-shirts, the usual. I didnt want to dress like the ghosts of the Dark City. I didnt want to turn into them.
But I couldnt wander around in a Victorian nightgown, and nudity was no option. I reached for the clothes in the huge wardrobe, the underwear in my size, the jeans that fit perfectly. And saw, to my relief, that once they were on my body the color slowly leached into them. They soaked up color like a paper towel set next to paintthe
jeans were sand-washed indigo, the T-shirt a deep rose that oddly enough didnt clash with my hair. I pulled the neckline out to look down at the bra next to my body. Pale lavender, with delicate lace. O-kay.
I headed for the door. It wasnt as if I had any choice. I was starving, and staying holed up in this room got nothing accomplished. I left the room, and safety, behind.
He was in the outer room waiting for me, as if hed known I was about to emerge. I felt color rise to my face, the memory of that searing kiss between us. But then, hed pushed me away from him, passing whatever test hed given himself, and I should be able to meet his gaze with no embarrassment.
I straightened my shoulders, waiting for him to say something. He looked at me out of hooded eyes, and I couldnt read his reaction. And then he spoke.
Come.
I ground my teeth. Where?
You slept a long time. You must be hungry. I was planning to feed you.
Are you taking me back to Beloch? I tried to keep the hopefulness out of my voice. Pleasing me was the last thing on his agenda.
He shook his head. The time has not yet come. Theres food in the dining room.
And where is that? Oh, I know. Come, I mocked him. Lead on. Ill put up with you for the sake of food.
You have little choice in the matter, demon.
Dont call me that! I snapped.
What do you expect me to call you? A made-up name for a made-up human?
I didnt bother arguing. Yes. My name is Rachel. I pushed past him, anything to keep him from that one sepulchral word that made me crazy.
Second door on the left.
I halted, not daring to hope. Youre not coming with me?
I expect you can manage to feed yourself without my help.
And then do we go to Beloch?
He hesitated, and I had the strange thought that there was something ugly that he didnt want to tell me. But then, he was my enemy. Almost everything he told me was ugly. Nothing has been proven yet.
Oh, come on! I think its more than clear you find me eminently resistible, as do most men. And for your information, I can do without them, and sex, quite happily. So youve got the wrong girl for your sex demon.
He made no flattering protest, of course. He simply turned away, and I watched him go, aware of a strange sense of desolation. It was illogical and had nothing to do with the reality of the situation. I wanted him gone.
The food on the sideboard in the dining room was abundant, brown, and horrible-looking, but I managed to use my sense of smell to choose what I wanted. I wondered if there actually was a kitchen in this house, or whether some caterer had brought all this food. For that matter, were we alone in the house? Id heard no footsteps, no voices. If only Azazel and I were in residence, there would be a lot of food going to waste.
It wasnt my problem. I ate slowly, knowing that once I was done Id have to face Azazel again. When finally I could eat no more, I pushed away from the table and went looking for him.
He was nowhere to be found. It took me long enough to search the placeit was large and rambling, with living rooms and parlors and a library, dining rooms and breakfast rooms, and upstairs half a dozen large bedrooms, including my own. As far as I could tell, Azazel hadnt set foot in any of them.
Fine, I thought, heading for the front door. It was already afternoon and I was damned if I was going to sit around waiting for him.
The front door was locked. I shook it, beat against it, but nothing helped. Enraged, I headed for one of the tall windows, but they were locked as well. For one moment I considered throwing a chair through the glass and escaping that way, but I didnt quite have the nerve. I would sit and wait, and when he came back Id tear into him.